Mr. Mahon Period 4 Social Studies


3-26-12
We will pick up the African country project that we began the other day. You should select one African country about which you would like to learn more. Remember, we are using a KWL approach to this topic. So begin by writing down three things about that country that you would like to know. Then, using internet resources, attempt to answer those questions. You will eventually write 2-3 paragraphs about the country describing what you have learned.

3-23-12
We will start with our African map game for fifteen minutes. Then we will get the laptops and look up current events in Africa that you find interesting. You will go to the website www.news.google.com and search for stories on Africa. Start by looking through the list of stories, and seeing if you recognize any African countries in the headlines. If you do, please read that story. If you do not, try searching for a story about a particular African country that you would be interested in learning more about. You could try searching "South Africa news" and see what results you get. After reading the article for ten minutes, we will have a class discussion about the articles you found.

3-22-12
We will begin the game that we didn't get to yesterday. You will need your Africa maps in order to play the game. I will explain the rules of the game prior to its start. Any body who has catch-up work to do, will not be participating in the game, but will instead get that work handed in to me. You only have until Friday before any blank spots in your grades BECOME ZEROS. This work must be done by FRIDAY.

3-16-12
We will be starting on Africa now. To begin, we must first learn some of the major geographical features of the continent. We will begin by examining a map of Africa and discussing it. Afterwards, we will label all of the countries on the continent and color the map in.

3-12-12
We will be taking the open-book quiz on Ch. 13 Sections 1 & 2. This quiz is only 19 questions long, and you should have more than enough time to complete this assessment.

3-9-12
We will get to the review game that we didn't have time for yesterday. This is in preparation for the open-book assessment we will be taking on Monday.

3-8-12
We will be playing a review game of the material from sections 1 and 2 in chapter 13. This is in preparation of the small assessment you will be taking on Friday. That evaluation will be open-book, as per usual.

3-7-12
We will read Ch 13.1 and complete the Guided Reading that accompanies that section. This will be checked for completeness and we will review it together in class.

3-6-12
You will need your books today


Today, because of the technical difficulties we encountered yesterday, we will be finishing up our Caribbean Island Brochures. They will be collected at the end of class unless you and I have made an arrangement prior to today--no other exceptions.

Once this is completed, I ask that you start reading Ch 13.2, located on pg. 233. There is a Guided Reading Worksheet to accompany this section. I ask that you have this assignment competed by the beginning of class tomorrow.

3-5-12
Your preliminary research on your selected island should be complete now. Put any finishing touches that you need onto your brochure. Once it is completed, please print your brochure and hand it in to me.

3-2-12
Now that you have selected an island to create a brochure for, you need to create it. You may use any of the templates that are available on Pages. You should have the following elements for your brochure:
A) Title that includes your name and the name of the island.
B) A 2 paragraph description of the island that describes the people, its culture, dress, music, and traditions as well as a physical description of the island--where it's located, its size (in both population and geographic description).
C) No fewer than 3 pictures that are actually from that island.

This assignment is to be completed by the end of class today.

3-1-12
You will go online and research a Caribean island nation. You must get your topic approved by the teacher. You are to look up facts about the island that would people thinking about visiting would be interested in. You are then to create a travel brouchure that attempts to convoke readers that they would like to go to that island for their vacation. We will be working on this for the next few classes. Today, you should concentrate on selecting an island and getting the information you need to create your brochure.

2-29-12
Happy Leap Day

We will review the Assessment for Ch 13.1.

2-27-12
Today we will be using the map on page 584-5 in your text book to label the countries of Central and South America. After you label each of the countries and the Amazon, you should color the map in. There will be followed by a map quiz.

2-24-12
You will have five minutes at the beginning of class to study and ask any last minute questions. Afterwards, your test will be administered. Any time you have left should be spent reading silently. I will collect all of the tests at the same time, once EVERYONE is done. Please be courteous to one another and remain silent until ALL of the tests are collected. Have a great weekend.

2-23-12
You will be playing a review game in preparation for the test tomorrow.

2-22-12
We will finish our reading of Ch 12.3 and complete the guided reading worksheet. This will be collected and graded.

2-21-12
We will take the Ch 12.2 quiz in the beginning of class. You will self-correct those quizzes, and I will record the grades. Then, we will read Ch 12.3 as a class, and work on the guided reading worksheet that accompanies it.

2-16-12
We will read Ch 12.2 as a class and complete the Guided reading worksheet. This will be counted as a class work grade.

2-15-12
You will read Ch 12.1 (p. 213) silently and independently.
You are to complete the Guided Reading worksheet for Ch 12.1 and hand it in by the end of class

2-14-12
Happy Valentine's Day
Today we will start off by reviewing the Guided Reading worksheets from Ch 11.1
.

2-13-12
Today we will read ch 11.1 aloud as a class.
After the reading you are to complete the ch 11.1 Guided Reading worksheet.
This sheet will be collected at the end of class.